Hey Mr. Golden Sun...

Gabe's learning some songs at preschool and it is TOO cute! "Hey Mr. Sun, Sun, Hey Mr. Golden Sun, Please shine down on meeeeeeeeee!!" Also, he loves his Batman guys, his Daddy, and picking his nose. Enjoy!

Daddy's Home!

What a week it's been for the Herrmans! Greg just got home today after being in the hospital for four days. Last Thursday, he had a hair follicle inside his nose that became infected. It caused him a lot of pain, so Friday, he went to the doc in a box to get it looked at. The doctor put him on a couple of antibiotics thinking it would help calm it down. By Monday, Greg still hadn't gotten better and was feeling weaker and more achy my the minute. So, we went to see our primary physician. The doctor was going to send Greg home with a heavy dose of antibiotics, but after hearing there'd been no improvement since Friday, he ordered us to go to the hospital.

Upon arriving there, Greg was seen by another doctor who determined Greg needed to go to the hospital in Bloomington so he could see an ENT. The doctor also ordered a cat scan so it could be determined how far up into the nasal cavity the infection went. Greg went by ambulance and I stopped by home to pack a bag for Gabe. Thankfully, we already had care set up for Gabe since Greg and I were supposed to be going on vacation with Steve & Tami. We didn't get to go on vacation, but that's ok by me. I'm just glad Greg's on the road to recovery!

Greg was diagnosed with MRSA at the hospital and an ENT performed a surgery to drain the infection and get the area cleaned out. In surgery preparation, they couldn't get a tube down his throat, so to relax the throat muscles, they gave him some medicine. That medicine caused his potassium levels to drop and when he woke up from surgery, his entire body was cramping. He was in so much pain! They were able to kind of get the cramping to stop, but his head and neck remained in pain - severe pain. I'd never seen it that bad before.

So, Greg was referred to a neurologist. The neurologist (who was awesome!) ordered an MRI and discovered Greg had 3 ruptured discs in his neck, one of which was very severe. The neurologist seemed to think that's been the reason for his chronic neck pain. It must have flared up because of the muscle cramping after surgery. He advised that surgery could be done to fix this. I felt nothing but hope after hearing this! Greg's suffered with neck pain for so long! So, we waited until he was safe to be off of the IV antibiotics and now he's home! We'll be following up with the neurologist in a couple of weeks to talk about treatment for the ruptured discs.

Craziness, isn't it? I couldn't believe that he had MRSA from an infected hair follicle and that we were finally able to find out about his neck problems! He's doing pretty well today. We both got a nap, I went and picked up Gabe, and we just did pizza delivery for supper. I'm so thankful that Greg is ok. I'm also thankful for all of our friends and family that stopped by, prayed for us, and helped with the Gabers. We love you all and are so thankful for you.

And... the results are in!

I am going to be the aunt to a lovely little girl at the end of July! Jenny and Rene found out yesterday that they are having a little girl. I already went shopping and bought her something for Easter! I'm thrilled about becoming an aunt again.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

This will be a year of changes for the Smith family. Tomorrow, we find out whether my sister, Jenny, is having a baby boy or girl. This June, Lindsey and her fiance, Matt, are getting married. And, in August, my brother and his fiancee, Sonya, are getting married.

I couldn't be more blessed - My siblings have all chosen wonderful people as their spouses. When our entire family is together, we have the best time. I find it awesome that my brother in law, Rene, and I can email back and forth and tease each other. I love that when I see Matt, he comes up and gives me a hug. And, I'm thrilled that Sonya wants me to design their wedding invitations... and Lindsey too! I'm honored that I'll be taking pictures for both weddings and I'll have as many newborn photo sessions as I want with Baby Hernandez!

So many changes. So many blessings!! Our family has had it's share of heartaches and tough times (like everyone's) and it feels so good to be in a time full of blessings and new beginnings!

just like me

He likes crackers in his ice cream. Just like me.

We have a birthmark of nearly the same size and color. In exactly the same spot.

He has a little temper, and MAY tend to over-react... just a little. Just like me.

He has the love of a generous, intelligent, kind man. Just like me.

Do you know how many people I've introduced crackers and ice cream to? A lot. Because, no one can believe me that it is amazing. When I was a kid, my Grandma Smith would always serve us saltine crackers with our ice cream. Schwan's ice cream, Hershey's chocolate syrup, and saltine crackers. We LOVED it. We always mixed our ice cream so that it was smooth and we sat around the kitchen table as a family and enjoyed our creation.

When I asked Gabe to try it, he tried it right away, which really surprised me since he never wants to try stuff. He loved it.

Just like me.

A Comedian, and he doesn't even know it.

Ok, this kid cracks me up on a daily basis. Lately, we've been talking about Aunt Lindsey's wedding that's coming up in June and about how he's going to get to swim in the ocean for the first time. He's very concerned about sharks. I've tried explaining the beach and that we won't go out deep enough for sharks. You can just tell that he rolls it all around in his mind and really thinks about all of his concerns with it. So, we talk it out. Here's the conversation that made me laugh out loud:

Gabe: Mommy, we're going to swim in the ocean, right?
Me: Yes, buddy. It'll be a lot of fun! We'll go when Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Mac get married.
Gabe: (thinking)
Gabe: Well, we have to wear some swim trunks, so the sharks won't get my wiener.

He said this serious as can be.

And I cracked up. And then he cracked up.

This kid is hilarious.